The Foreigners Act, 1946

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Act Name : THE FOREIGNERS ACT, 1946

Act title : ACT NO. 31 OF 1946*

Enactment date : [23rd November, 1946.]

THE FOREIGNERS ACT, 1946 ACT NO. 31 OF 1946* [23rd November, 1946.] An Act

to confer upon the Central Government certain powers In respect of foreigners.WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the exercise by the Central Government ofcertain powers in respect of the entry of foreigners into 1[India], their presence therein

and their departure therefrom; 1. Short title and extent. (1) This Act may be called the

Foreigners Act, 1946. (2) It extends to the whole of 1[India] 2* * *.

2.Definitions. In this Act- 3[(a) "foreigner" means a person who is not a citizen of India;]4* * * * * * (b) " prescribed " means prescribed by orders made under this Act ; (c)

"specified" means specified by direction of a prescribed authority.

3.Power to make orders.(1) The Central Government may by order make provision, either

generally or with respect to all foreigners or with respect to any particular foreigner orany prescribed class or description of foreigner, for prohibiting, regulating or restricting

the entry of foreigners into 1[India] or their departure therefrom or their presence orcontinued presence therein. -------------------------------------------------------------------- *

This Act has been extended to- Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of

1962, s. 3 and Sch. Pondicherry with modifications vide Notification No. G.S.R. 1557,dated 24-11-1962, Gazette of India, Part II, Sec. 3 (i), p. 1886. and brought into force in

Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. 1. Lakshadweep, Minicoy and

Amindivi Island vide Reg. 8 of 1965, s, 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-10-1967). the State of Sikimvide Notification No. G.S.R. 41 (E), date 27-1-1976 (w.e.f. 1-2-1976). 1 Subs. by Act 38

of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 2 The words "except the State of Hyderabad", ins. by the

A.O. 1950), omitted by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch. 3 Subs. by Act 11 of 1957. s. 2. forthe former clause (w.e.f. 19-1- 1957). 4 Cl. (aa), ins. by the A.O. 1950, omitted by Act 3of 1951, s. 3 and Sch. 5 For Foreigners Order, 1948, see Gazette of India, 1948, Pt. I, p.

198. 8 (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power,

orders made under this section may provide that the foreigner- (a) shall not enter 1[India]or shall enter 1[India] only at such times and by such route and at such port or place and

subject to the observance of such conditions on arrival as may be prescribed; (b) shall not

depart from 1[India], or shall depart only at such times and by such route and from suchport or place and subject to the observance of such conditions on departure as may be

prescribed; (c) shall not remain in 1[India] or in any prescribed area therein ; 2 (cc) shall,

If he has been required by order under this section not to remain in India, meet from any

resources at his disposal the cost of his removal from India and of his maintenancetherein pending such removal;] (d) shall remove himself to, and remain in, such area in

1[India] as may be prescribed; (e) shall comply with such conditions as may be

prescribed or specified- (i) requiring him to reside in a particular place; (ii) imposing anyrestrictions on his movements; (iii) requiring him to furnish such proof of his identity and

to report such particulars to such authority in such manner and at such time and place as

may be prescribed or specified ; (iv) requiring him to allow his photograph and fingerimpressions to be taken and to furnish specimens of his handwriting and signature to such


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authority and at such time and place as may be prescribed or specified (v) requiring himto submit himself to such medical examination by such authority and at such time and

place as may be prescribed or specified; -----------------------------------------------------------

----------- 1 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s, 2, for "British India". 2 Ins. by s. 4, ibid. 8A (vi)prohibiting him from association with persons of a prescribed or specified description ;

(vii) prohibiting him from engaging in activities of a prescribed or specified description ;(viii) prohibiting him from using or possessing prescribed or specified articles ; (ix)otherwise regulating his conduct in any such particular as may be prescribed or specified

; (f) shall enter into a bond with or without sureties for the due observance of, or as an

alternative to the enforcement of, any or all prescribed or specified restrictions or

conditions 9 1[(g)] shall be arrested and detained or confined;] and may make provision2[for any matter which is to be or may be prescribed and] for such incidental and

supplementary matters as may, in the opinion of the Central Government, be expedient or

necessary for giving effect to this Act. 2[(3) Any authority prescribed in this behalf maywith respect to any particular foreigner make orders under clause (e) 2[or clause (f)] of

sub-section (2).] 4[3A. Power to exempt citizens of Common-wealth countries and other

persons from application of Act in certain cases. (1) The Central Government may, byorder, declare that all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any order made thereunder

shall not apply, or shall apply only in such circumstances or with such exceptions or

modifications or subject to such conditions as may be specified in the order, to or inrelation to- (a) the citizen's of any such Commonwealth country as may be so specified ;

or (b) any other individual foreigner or class or description of foreigner. (2) A copy of

every order made tinder this section shall be placed on the table of both Houses of

Parliament as soon as may be after it is made.]

4. Persons on parole. 5[(1)] Any foreigner (hereinafter referred to as an internee) in

respect of whom there is in force any order made under clause (g) of sub-section (2) of

section 3, directing that he be detained or confined, shall be detained or confined in suchplace and manner and subject to such conditions as to maintenance, discipline and the

punishment of offences and breaches of discipline as the Central Government may from

time to time by order determine.] (2) Any foreigner (hereinafter referred to as a person onparole) in respect of whom there is in force an order under clause (e) of sub- section (2)

of section 3 requiring him to reside at a place set apart for the residence under supervision

of a number of foreigners, shall while residing therein be subject to such conditions as to

mainten- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 42 of1962, s. 3. The former brackets, letter and words" (g) shall be, arrested and detained or

confined ;" were omitted by Act 11 of 1957, s. 3 (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 2 Ins. by Act 38 of

1947, s. 4. 3 Subs. by Act 11 of 1957, s. 3, for ", clause (f) or clause (g)" (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 4 Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 5 Ins. by Act 42 of 1962, s. 3. The former

sub-section (1) was omitted by Act 11 of 1957, s. 5 (w.e.f. 19-1-1957). 10 ance,

discipline and the punishment of offences and breaches of discipline as the CentralGovernment may from time to time by order determine. 1[(3) No person shall- (a)

knowingly assist an internee or a person on parole to escape from custody or the place set

apart for his residence, or knowingly harbour an escaped internee or person on parole, or(b) give an escaped internee or person on parole any assistance with intent thereby to

prevent, hinder or interfere with the apprehension of the internee or the person on parole.


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(4) The Central Government may, by order, provide for regulating access to, and theconduct of persons in, places in India where internees or persons on parole are detained

or restricted, as the case may be, and for prohibiting or regulating the despatch or

conveyance from outside such places to or for internees or persons on parole therein of

such articles as may be prescribed.]

5.Change of name. (1) No foreigner who was in 2[India] on the date on which this Act

came into force shall, while in 2[India] after that date, assume or use or purport to assumeor use for any purpose any name other than that by which he was ordinarily known

immediately before the said date. (2) Where, after the date on which this Act came into

force, any foreigner carries on or purports to carry on (whether alone or in association

with any other person) any trade or business under any name or style, other than thatunder which that trade or business was being carried on immediately before the said date,

he shall, for the purposes of sub-section (1), be deemed to be using a name other than that

by which he was ordinarily known immediately before the said date. (3) In relation to anyforeigner who, not having been in 2[India] on the date on which this Act came into force,

thereafter enters 2[India], sub-sections (1) and (2) shall have effect as if for any referencein those sub-sections to the date on which this Act came into force there were substituteda reference to the date on which he first enters 2 [India] thereafter. (4) For the purposes of

this section- (a) the expression "name" includes a surname, and -------------------------------

--------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 42 of 1962, s. 3, for sub-sections (3) and

(4). 2 Subs. by Act 98 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 10 (b) a name shall be deemed tobe changed if the spelling thereof is altered. (5) Nothing in this section shall apply to the

assumption or use- (a) of any name in pursuance of a 1* * * licence or permission

granted by the Central Government; or (b) by any married woman, of her husband's

name.

6. Obligations of masters of vessels, etc. (1) The master of any vessel landing orembarking at a port in 2[India] passengers coming to or going from that port by sea andthe pilot of any aircraft landing or embarking at any place in 2[India] ------------------------

---------------------------------------------- 1 The word " Royal omitted by Act 1 1 of 1957, s.

6 (w.e.f. 19-1- 1957). 2 Subs. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 2, for "British India". 11 passengers

coming to or going from that place by air, shall furnish to such person and in suchmanner as may be prescribed a return giving the prescribed particulars with respect to any

passengers or members of the crew, who are foreigners. (2) Any District Magistrate and

any Commissioner of Police or, where there is no Commissioner of Police, anySuperintendent of Police may, for any purpose connected with the enforcement of this

Act or any order made thereunder, require the master of any such vessel or the pilot of

any such aircraft to furnish such information as may be prescribed in respect ofpassengers or members of the crew on such vessel or aircraft, as the case may be. (3) Any

passenger on such vessel or such aircraft and any member of the crew of such vessel or

aircraft shall furnish to the master of the vessel or the pilot of the aircraft, as the case maybe, any information required by him for the purpose of furnishing the return referred to in

sub-section (1) or for furnishing the information required under sub-section (2). 1[(4)] If

any foreigner enters India in contravention of any provision of this Act or any order made

thereunder, the prescribed authority may, within two months from the date of such entry,


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direct the master of the vessel or the pilot of the aircraft on which such entry was effectedor the owner or the agent of the owner of such vessel or aircraft, to provide, to the

satisfaction of the said authority and otherwise than at the expense of Government,

accommodation on a vessel or aircraft for the purpose of removing the said foreignerfrom India. (5) The master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft which is about to

carry passengers from a port or place in India to any destination outside India, or theowner or the agent of the owner of any such vessel or aircraft shall, if so directed by theCentral Government and on tender of payment therefor at the current rates, provide on

the vessel or aircraft accommodation to such port or place outside India, being a port or

place at which the vessel or aircraft is due to call, as the Central Government may

specify, for any foreigner ordered under section 3 not to remain in India and for hisdependents, if any, travelling with him.] 1[(6)] For the purposes of this section- (a) "

master of a vessel " and " pilot of any aircraft shall include any person authorised by such

master or pilot, as the case may be, to discharge on his behalf any of the duties imposedon him by this section ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Sub-

sections (4) and (5) ins. and the original sub-section (4) renumbered as (6) by Act 38 of

1947, s. 5. 12 (b) passenger " means any person not being a bona-fide member of thecrew, travelling or seeking to travel on a vessel or aircraft.

7. Obligation of hotel keepers and others to furnish particulars. (1) It shall be the duty of

the keeper of any premises whether furnished or unfurnished where lodging or sleeping

accommodation is provided for reward, to submit to such person and in such manner suchinformation in respect of foreigners accommodated in such premises, as may be

prescribed. Explanation.- The information referred to in this sub-section may relate to all

or any of the foreigners accommodated at such premises and may be required to besubmitted periodically or at any specific time or occasion. (2) Every person

accommodated in any such premises shall furnish to the keeper thereof a statement

containing such particulars as may be required by the keeper for the purpose of furnishingthe information referred to in sub-section (1). (3) The keeper of every such premises shall

maintain a record of the information furnished by him under sub-section (1) and of the

information obtained by him under sub-section (2) and such record shall be maintained insuch manner and preserved for such period as may be prescribed, and shall at all times be

open to inspection by any police officer or by a person authorised in this behalf by the

District Magistrate. 1(4) If in any area prescribed in this behalf the prescribed authority

by notice published in such manner as may in the opinion of the authority be best adaptedfor informing the persons concerned so directs, it shall be the duty of every person

occupying or having under his control any residential premises to submit to such person

and in such manner such information in respect of foreigners accommodated in suchpremises as may be specified ; and the provisions of sub-section (2) shall apply to every

person accommodated in any such premises.] 2 [7A. Power to control places frequented

by foreigners. (1) The prescribed authority may, subject to such conditions as may beprescribed, direct the owner or person having control of any premises used as a restaurant

or as a place of public resort or entertainment or as a club and frequented by foreigners-

(a) to close such premises either entirely or during specified periods, or ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Ins. by Act 38 of 1947, s. 6. 2 Ins. by S. 7,

ibid. 13 (b) to use or permit the use of such premises only under such conditions as may


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be specified, or (c) to refuse admission to such premises either to all foreigners or to anyspecified foreigner or class of foreigner. (2) A person to whom any direction has been

given under sub- section (1) shall not, while such direction remains in force, use or

permit to be used any other premises for any of the aforesaid purposes, except with theprevious permission in writing of the prescribed authority and in accordance with any

conditions which that authority may think fit to impose. (3) Any person to whom anydirection has been given under sub- section (1) and who is aggrieved thereby may, withinthirty days from the date of such direction, appeal to the Central Government ; and the

decision of the Central Government in the matter shall be final.]

8. Determination of nationality. (1) When a foreigner is recognised as a national by the

law of more than one foreign country or where for any reason it is uncertain whatnationality if any is to be, ascribed to a foreigner, that foreigner may be treated as the

national of the country with which he appears to the prescribed authority to be most

closely connected for the time being in interest or sympathy or if he is of uncertainnationality, of the country with which he was last so connected : Provided that where a

foreigner acquired a nationality by birth, he shall, except where the Central Governmentso directs either generally or in a particular case, be deemed to retain that nationalityunless he proves to the satisfaction of the said authority that he has subsequently acquired

by naturalization or otherwise some other nationality and still recognized as entitled to

protection by the Government of the country whose nationality he has so acquired. (2) A

decision as to nationality given under sub-section (1) shall. be final and shall not becalled in question in any Court : Provided that the Central Government, either of its own

motion or on an application by the foreigner concerned, may revise any such decision.

9.Burden of proof. If in any case not falling under section 8 any question arises withreference to this Act or any order made or direction given thereunder, whether any person

is or is not a foreigner or is or is not a foreigner of a particular class- or description theonus of proving that such person is not a foreigner or is not a foreigner of such 14particular class or description, as the case may be, shall, notwith- standing anything

contained in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, lie upon such person.

10. Power to exempt from application of Act. [Power to exempt from application of

Act.] Rep. by the Foreigners Laws (Amendment) Act, 1957 (11 of 1957), s. 7 (w.e.f. 19-

1-1957).

11. Power to give effect orders, directions etc. (1) Any authority empowered by or under

or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act to give any direction or to exercise any other

power, may, in addition to any other action expressly provided for in this Act, take, orcause to be taken such steps and use, or cause to be used, such force as may, in its

opinion, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with such direction or for

preventing or rectifying any breach thereof, or for the effective exercise of such power, as

the case may be. (2) Any police officer may take such steps and use such force as may, inhis opinion, be reasonably necessary for securing compliance with any order made or

direction given under or in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or for preventing or

rectifying any breach of such order or direction. (3) The power conferred by this section


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shall be deemed to confer upon any person acting in exercise thereof a right of access to

any land or other property whatsoever.

12. Power to delegate authority. Any authority upon which any power to make or give

any direction, consent or permission or to do any other act is conferred by this Act or by

any order made thereunder may, unless express provision is made to the contrary, inwriting authorise, conditionally or otherwise, any authority subordinate to it to exercise

such power on its behalf, and thereupon the said subordinate authority shall, subject tosuch conditions as may be contained in the authorisation, be deemed to be the authority

upon which such power is conferred by or under this Act.

13. Attempts to etc., contravene the provisions of this Act, etc. (1) Any person who

attempts to contravene, or abets or attempts to abet, or does any act preparatory to, acontravention of, the provisions of this Act or of any order made or direction given

thereunder, or fails to comply with any direction given in pursuance of any such order,

shall be deemed to have contravened the provisions of this Act. (2) Any person who,

knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that any other person has contravened theprovisions of this Act or of any order made or direction given thereunder, gives that 15

other person any assistance with intent thereby to prevent, hinder or otherwise interferewith his arrest, trial or punishment for the said contravention shall be deemed to have

abetted that contravention. (3) The master of any vessel or the pilot of any aircraft, as the

case may be, by means of which any foreigner enters or leaves 1[India] in contravention

of any order made under, or direction given in pursuance of, section 3 shall, unless heproves that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the said contravention, be deemed to

have contravened this Act.

14. Penalties. If any person contravenes the provisions of this Act or of any order made

thereunder, or any direction given in pursuance of this Act or such order, he shall bepunished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and shall also be

liable to fine and if such person has entered into a bond in pursuance of clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 3, his bond shall be forfeited, and any person bound thereby shall

pay the penalty thereof, or show cause to the satisfaction of the convicting Court why

such penalty should not be paid.

15. Protection to persons acting under this Act. No suit, prosecution or other legal

proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or

intended to be done under this Act.

16. Application of other laws not barred. The provisions of this Act shall be in addition

to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of the Registration of Foreigners Act 1939,(16 of 1939.) the Indian Passport Act, 1920, (34 of 1920.) and of any other enactment for

the time being in force.

17. Repeals. [Repeals.] Rep. by the Repealing and Amending Act, 195 (35 of 1950), s. 2

and Sch. I. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Subs. by Act 38

of 1947, s. 2, for "British India".

Documents

The Foreigners Act, 1946